Discussion Questions: July 17, 2017

Summary

This week, Garrett Raburn talked about desire. Using Genesis 25 and the story of Jacob and Esau, he showed how desires in and of themselves aren’t inherently bad, but they can be if we aren’t careful. He showed us how desires are from God, but sin distorts them; they are never fully and finally satisfied; and they start within and then move to the public view.

Discussion Questions

1. “God created lots of desires: food, sex, stuff, acceptance, respect, and progress (to name a few). None of these are inherently bad, but they can turn bad when we make them ultimate.” What desires are you prone to allow to become an idol(s) in your life? Share these with your community group this week, and ask them to hold you accountable to keep those desires in their proper place.
2. “I’m about to die; of what use is a birthright to me? Esau ate, and despised his birthright…” (Genesis 25:32-33). In what areas of life are you prone to do something as crazy as “give away your birthright:” Parenting, pornography, paycheck? What is your "bowl of stew"? Share this area(s) with your accountability group.
3. Garrett mentioned three principles to help us keep desires in check: 1) make a plan, 2) widen the circle, and 3)count the cost. Which of these will be the hardest for you to live out next week? What’s one way you can make sure you to take action in this area?